Specialist in Applied Vapor-Phase Deposition & Nanomaterials (ALD, MLD, VPI)

The Nanoscience Cooperative Research Center, CIC nanoGUNE, located in Donostia / San Sebastian, Basque Country (Spain), is currently looking for a

 

Specialist

 

to cover

 

External service requests in Applied Vapor-Phase Deposition & Nanomaterials (ALD, MLD, VPI)

 

 

NanoGUNE is a research center devoted to conducting world-class nanoscience research for a competitive growth of the Basque Country. NanoGUNE is a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and is recognized by the Spanish Research Agency as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence.

 

The position is offered in the the Nanomaterials Group, led by Prof. Mato Knez (m.knez@nanogune.eu), The Group focuses on the synthesis, chemical functionalization, and nanoscale engineering of novel materials. The group’s research spans atomic-scale thin-film coatings, organic–inorganic hybrid materials, and biomimetic nanomaterials, bridging fundamental nanoscience with high-impact technological and biomedical applications.

More information about the group and our state-of-the-art facilities can be found at www.nanogune.eu/nanomaterials.

 

We are looking for a candidate who:

  • Holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
  • Demonstrates a proactive, application-driven mindset with a strong motivation to interface with industry, manage technology transfer initiatives, and deliver against collaborative R&D milestones.
  • Possesses strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills, with full professional and technical fluency in both English and Spanish.

 

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

  • Industrial & Applied Project Execution: Leading the experimental design, execution, and delivery of applied research projects involving ALD, MLD, and VPI tailored to target industrial specifications.
  • Partner & Stakeholder Management: Serving as the key technical liaison for industrial partners and applied technology centers, translating commercial needs into structured research roadmaps.
  • Process & Materials Engineering: Developing, optimizing, and scaling up novel vapor-phase deposition recipes, surface functionalization strategies, and organic–inorganic hybrid materials.
  • Application-Specific Testing & Characterization: Designing and coordinating functional testing regimens tailored to target sectors, analyzing material performance, and delivering high-quality technical reports, project deliverables, and patent applications.
  • Business Development & Funding Acquisition: Supporting the group leader in identifying public and private funding opportunities, co-authoring collaborative grant proposals (regional, national, and EU), and presenting proof-of-concept solutions to prospective industrial clients.

 

The successful candidate will possess

 

Expertise (or demonstrated drive to rapidly acquire expertise) in:

  • Operating and developing processes on ALD, MLD, and VPI reactor platforms, including materials engineering and recipe tuning.
  • Surface and thin-film characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, XRD, AFM, and FTIR/Raman).
  • Application-driven material qualification and benchmarking protocols aligned with industrial standards.

 

Proficiency in:

  • Technical communication, with a proven ability to write structured technical documentation to both academic and non-technical industrial stakeholders.
  • Managing applied research workflows, including milestone tracking and reporting.

 

We promote teamwork in a diverse and inclusive environment and welcome all kinds of applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

 

Candidates should apply by completing the form below and attaching the following documents:

  • A complete CV
  • A cover letter and at least two reference letters grouped in a single PDF file

 

The deadline for applications 23/10/2026.

The position is expected to start as soon as possible.

 

 

NOTES:

(i) All applicants will receive an answer after the end of the selection process; but please note that due to the large number of submissions that are expected, we cannot provide individual feedback.

(ii) Additional information about nanoGUNE's commitment towards HR excellence in Research and Gender Equality are available on our website.

(iii) We encourage you to subscribe to our HR mailing list to receive information related to nanoGUNE's open positions and open calls for different training and talent attraction programs.

Apply for the position